starrett



July 8 1924.

H. F. s'rARRl-:Tf "EANSL BOARD AND PANEL BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed June 27.1919 PANEL BOARD AND PANEL BOX CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @j July a,1924. 1,500,211

H. F. STARRETT PANEL BOARD VAND PANEL Box consrnuc'rm Fudd June 27.1919- s sheets-shut Mmmmmmmlmmmnn 6 mwwwammw Patented July 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY F. STARRETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 STARRETT MANUFAC-TUBING COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PANEL BOARD AND PANEL-BOX CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed .Tune 27, 1919. Serial No. 307.189.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY F. STARRE'IT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Panel Boards and Panel- BoxConstruction, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in panel-boards and panel-boxconstruction, and more particularly to that type of panel-board which isequip ed with a dead front, that is, a panel-boar of the type in whichthe current and potential carrying conductors are enclosed so as toprevent accidental contact therewith and consequent electrical shock.

In the specific embodiment of my invention herein illustrated anddescribed I have preferred to show a form of panel-board moreespeciallyr adapted to be used in the 2s wiring of houses or residences,but obviously the construction shown is also useful and can be readilyincorporated in anyA and all panel-board structures.

One of the objects of this invention consists in the production of a simlified and improved panel-board and pane box construction adapted 'forcombined service and load-circuit rotection.

Another o ject of this invention consists in the production of animproved and simplified means for producing a panel-board and panel-boxconstruction of this kind, in which with a very simple. construction aproper covering is provided to protect the conductors andconductor-wires leading into the cabinet, which constitutes thermanfeed-wires and the branch-circuit consumption Wires.

A further object resides in the production of improved means whereby theassembled panel-board consists of a unitary struct-ure which can bereadily, quickly and easily re-: moved from the panel-.box andreassembled therein in any of a plurality ofl ositions to adaptpanel-board and box to e particu= lar peculiarities of any Wiringinstallation.

An additional object resides in an im:

proved panel-board and Cover-plate mountf ing, the cost of constructionof which is very low, and whichA can be very speedily and efficientlyassembled with and removed rom panel-board positioned in the panel-Another object consists in the production of improved and simplifiedmeans for locking switches on panel-boards in either the on or offpositions.

Other objects and features of this invention Will become apparent fromthe following description, the accompanying illustrations and theappended claims:

For the purpose of disclosing my invention, I have illustratedone'embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, `in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the combined panel-board and panel-box with thecover thrown back;

Fig. 2 illustrates the plate utilized for locking and sealing the switchof the pushbutton type in either the on or oli position;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 o Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the combined pane -box and panel-board with themajor portion of the dead 'front shield broken away Fig. 5 is a sect-ionof the combined panelboard and panel-box taken on the plane indicated bythe line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line6 6 of Fig. 5 looking in the directionvof the arrows:

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line7 7 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the combinedpanel-board and panel-box taken on the plane indicated by the line 8-8of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 illustrates the detailed construction of the bracket utilized tomount the panel-board in the panel-box; and

Figs. 10 and ll are detailed Views' illus` trating the meth'id utilizedfor rotatably mounting the designation strips on the dead front shield.u

u As illustrated in l, the panel-box enclosure consists of the end walls15 and 16, the side walls 17 and 18, the base 19 and a cover 20 hingedlysecured to the said wall 18. Mounted on the base 19 of the panelboxenclosure is a fiat plate 21 equipped with the lateral flanges 22 and23, said plate constituting an apparatus mounting subbase. This sub-base21 is removably secured to the base 19in any suitable manner, preferablyby screws such as 2 4. l Secured to the sub-base 21. eitherbyelectrowelding, screws or any other suitable manner. are the U shapedbrackets 25, 26 Aand 27. These U shaped brackets serve as theinterconnecting means for mounting the panelboard roper on the apparatusmounting sub-base 21. Mounted on.the.bracket 25 is an insulating base 28which carries the main line fuse receptacles 29 and 30 which areconnected respectively to the main .line terminals 31 and 32 whichreceive 'the main line conductors. The other contactsof the fusereceptacles 29 and 30 which are conthe conducting straps 33" and 34respectively, which in turn are connected respectively tothe stationarycontacta-1.35 'and 36 of a togglejoint switch 37.

The switch 37 is mounted on an insulating .base 38 which. is secured inany suitable manner, preierablyby screws such as 39,' to the sub-base21. The switch 27 constitutes the main switch of the panel through whichall the current which .is fed to'the fuse re ceptacles mounted on thepanel-board must. flow, Obviously, any type of switch may be used forthis purpose and instead .of the toggle joint, switch 37, shown in theillustration, a push buttonswitcll of any of the commercial' forms couldutilized.

A detailed description 'ofthe toggle joint switch 37 is consideredunnecessary as switches of this kind arewell known in -the art,consist-ing essentiallyof the operating blades such as 40 and 41' whichare utilized to interconnect theV live stationary switch contacts 35and. 36, which are connected to the main fuses 29 arid30l:espef.,t,iyely,v with the stationary switch contacts 42 and 43respectively, connected to conducting straps 44 and 45 respectively',which are in turn connected to the mainterminals 46 and 47 of the branchcircuit panel-board .48.

Obviously any type of panel-board could be used in this construction butpreferabh1 a panel-board of the type illustratedw and described in myPatent No. 1,294,185, issued February 11th, 1919, is used. Thispanelboa-rd, as there described, consists of a plate 49 on which thebranch fuse receptacles such as 50 are mounted and in which are carriedthe circuit conducting bus bars 51 and 52 which feed the current tothefuse receptacles 50. The bus-bars inthe pla-te 49 are completelycovered, insulated 'and hidden from View by a cover plete f The branchcircuit panel-board is mounted on the subbase 2l by n'ieuns of thebrackets 26 and 27, the base being secured to these brackets in anysuitable manner, preferably by screws such as 54.

Mounted above the electrical equipment which is secured to thesub-mounting hase 21 is a cover plate or dead front shield 55. This deadfront shield is apcrturerl to permit the projection therethrough of thctop` ends of thel branch line fuse receptacles 50 and the operatinghandle 56 ot' the main switchT as well as the top ends ot' the mainline. fuse receptacles 29 and 30. The mounting base 38 of the switch 3Tis so proportioned that the brackets 5T and ordinarily employed toreceive the top plate for the switch, will be positioned in a horizontalplane, so that the top portion of said brackets will act as a supportfor the shield The lower end of the shield 55 is supported by a bracket59 which is secured in any suitable manner, preferably by screws orrivets such' as 60 to the under side of the upper plate 61 of thebracket 25. The bracket 59 is equipped with the inwardly extending lugs62 andY 63, which serve as supporting means for the lower end of thedead front shield 55. The dead front shield 55 is secured to these lugs62 and 63 by means of screws such as 64 and 65. The upper end of theshield is held in position by means of the supporting bracket 66, whichbracket is fitted with laterally extending eais 67 and 68, and a topface 69 containing a. screw threaded aperture which receives the screw70 for holding the top end of the dead front Shield 55 in. position.

The bracket 66 is held inl position on the panel-board by means ofscrews such as 71 and 72 which serve the. dual function of securing thetwo upper fuse rece tacles 50 in position, as well as holding t 1emounting bracket 66 in position on the board. The upper faces of theears 62 and 63 of the mounting bracket 59, the top face 69 of thebrackets 66, and the top faces o'f the mount-- ing brackets or ears 57and 5S of the switch 37 are all positioned so as to be in the samehorizontal plane, whereby the)- constitute suitable supporting means forthe `dead front shield 55.

The dead front shield 55 is equipped with handles 73 and 74 whereb)- theshield may be readily placed in position in the panelbox enclosure andremoved from the panelbox enclosure when it is desired to inspect theapparatus beneath said shield. As clearly illustratedin Fig. l, the deadfront shield 55 'completely covers all ot' the apparatus mounted in .thepanel-box enclosure and on the panel-board with the exception of thecircuit-controlling portions of the said apparatus which project throughthe apertures cut in the Shield loo Mounted on the panel-board 48 is ashield or cover plate sealing or locking bar T5. This bar comprises theupwardly extending arm 76, the upper face of which lios in thv, sameplane as the upper faces of the mounting brackets which support theshield the said arm being equipped at its forward end with a projectingpin 77 which protrudes throu h an aperture 78 cut in the shield 55. T ebar is secured on the panelboard b means of laterally extending ears orlugs 9 and 8() which are apertured to receive the screws 8l, said screwsserving to secure the sealing bar 75 in position on the panel-board. Theend of the sealin bar T5 opposite to the one carrying the pin 77, isequipped with a downwardly extending arm 82, which contacts with the topsurface of the panel-board 48 and serves to give to the sealing bar 75the required rigidity.

The pin 77 which projects through the shield 55 serves as a means forpositively locking or sealing the shield 55 in position above theapparatus mounted in the panelbox enclosure and thereby prevents themolestation and tampering of this apparatus by individuals notauthorized to have access thereto. The sealing or locking of this shieldin position, by means of this projecting rod 77 may be accomplished inany desirable manner. This is preferably accomplished as shown in theillustration, by placing on the upwardly extending threaded end of saidrod 77 a securing nut 83, the rod 77 being 'tted with a transverse slotdirectly above the upper face of the nut 83 when it is screwed down inposition, through which is inserted a wire 84 on which is laced a; seal"85, the said wire and seal serving to lock the nut 83 in position, sincethe nut obviously cannot be removed `without breakin` the seal andremoving the wire.

It fol ows, from the dscriptionrjust preof the cover plate or shieldsealing bar 75, that the' said bar'may be readily placed in positioneither at the time that the ap aratus is being constructed or at anytime ater the a 'paratus' has been installed since the means or securingthis bar in positionare standard screws which can be secured in place atany time. Consequently the sealing bar 75 is a removable piece ofapparatus which can be readily furnished at any time and installed tolock the cover plate in position against those unauthorized to haveaccess to the equipment mounted on thefpanel-board.

It will also follow from the foregoing de scription that since thepanel-board 48, the switch 37, and the main' fuses 29 and 30, togetherwith their mounting base 28, are all secured to the sub mounting base21, that this sub mounting base and all the apparatus can be removedfrom the panelb ox enclosure as a single entity. The

mounting of all the apparatus enclosed within the panel-box on asub-base is an important feature, inasmuch that it permits the shiftingof this apparatus end to end in the panel-box enclosure by merelyremoving the sub-base mounting screws 24. The shifting of the relativeposition of the apparatus in the panel-box enclosure becomes ofimpoi-tance when the equipment is being installed.

In the wiring of buildings the branch circuit leads and the main circuitleads are brought to a common wiring point and the panel-board must bemounted at this point in the building to fit the wiring as it has beeninstalled. Depending upon conditions it is frequently necessary to mount-the panel-box enclosure and panel-board in a vertical position and atother times it is necessary to mount the panel-board in a horizontalposition. When the panel-board and panel-box is mounted in a horizontalposition, it is always necessary, because of the underwritersrequirements, to keep the cover of the box at the top so that said coverwill be restored to the closed position by gravity. It Will consequentlybe evident that the ends of the panel-box enclosure in which the mainfuse receptacles 29 and 30 should be mounted will depend upon what sideof the box the main line conductors are Wired, With the constructionhere shown in which all the apparatus is mounted on the mountingsub-base 21 the wiring of the panel-board to the branch line conductorsand main feed Wires will not be at all affected by the side of thepanel-box to which the main feed Wires are carried since the apparatuscan be rapidly and speedilyI shifted to fit any condition by transposingthe position of the sub-base 21 and consequently the apparatus which itcarries on the base 19 of the panel-boxenclosure.

- The shield 55 is litted with, a plurality of designation plates suchas 90 which serve as circuit indications for the.branch line fuses',With a designation strip'such as 91 which serves to give the capacity ofthe branch line fuses, with a designation strip such as 92 which serveto give the capacity of the main line fuses and with the designationstrips such as 93 which indicate the position in which the main switch37 is operated.

Obviously since the panel-box enclosure and panel-board is adapted forvertical mounting, as Well as horizontal mounting, means must beprovided for changing the position of all of these designation strips toaccommodate the particular position in which the panel-board isultimately installed. For this purpose each designation strip isrotatably mounted on the shield 55. Since the means utilized forrotating all of these shields is identical, a description of the methodof mounting the designation strip '55 in any suitable manner so onlywill be outlined in the following:

The designation plate 90 comprises overhanging lateral Hanges and 96 anda base 97. The base 97 is fitted with a depression 98 which serves toreceive the head of a rivet 99, the depression 98 being suiiicientlygreat so that the head o rivet 99 will be substantially flush with thetop surface of the base 97. The rivet 99 extends through a suitableaperture in the shield 55, and the rear end ofsaid rivet is secured tothe shield that the designation strips will be rotatably mounted on theshield. Preferably, these rivets are secured to the rear face of theshield 55 forcing back against the surface of the shield the splittongues 101 and 102 of the rivet.

As illustrated in Figs.A 1, 2, 3 and 5 means arefprovided for lockingthe main switch of the panel-board, such as 37;- in either-itsAo'ffW-for-on positions The means utilized for locking .this'mainswitch' in the' on `o ri ofil position consists ofA a plate whichisjremov'alolyl mountedl'on the front face of theshield'l- Whenawsajv'itch ofithe toggle jontftypeysuchj'as 37; ism'sed in which theoperating handleV projects through the shield and-isoscillated'frtojland yfro 'for actuating the switch mechanism-to eitheritsfoff or 'fonf lposition, 'f1/switch locking 'plate such as -103 isused," :This plate is provided with 7an 'Jape'rture 104'; the'sze'owhich is just great' enough jto" Vconveniently accommodatethe'pperatinghandle 56 of the switch. The plat==103 is provided ateitherend with-an aperture 1055and11'06 respectively. In mountingthe'platefonfthe' shieldV 55, the pin 77 is slipped through the'aperture 105 and-a pin or ro l-107 secured-tothe front f ace of theshield=155 isi threaded through the' aperture .IOGJHWhen the plates'thus placed on the pins `or 'rods^77"a1id 107, this iplate'will rest'on:the top' surface of the shield' 55, and thedesignation plates 93, whicharemountedionithe shield 55,v and associated with the switchf forindicating the Lon and off position will project throughV apertures 108land109-cut iny the plate: 103. When the plate1103-has been thuspositioned on the shieldthe handle 56 can be locked in either the on oro'ffposition by sealing-the plate in position by means of the nut 83,wire 84, and seal 85 utilized in connection with the pinv=77 andasimilar nut, Wire and seal for the rod 107. The rod 77, together withits cooperating lnut 83, Wire 84 and seal 85` serve 4the double purposeof sealing the shield 55v in position and one end of the switch lockingplate 103. The switch locking plate 103 could obviously besecured to theshield 55 in any other'way lThus for example if it were desired to lockthe switch in oneposition only,one end of said plate could: be securedtothefshield by: means of a hinge in place to the pin or 'rod |07 andaperture lll.

'lhf agvzture i04- in the plate 103 is szo positionei'l that the handle56 will project therethrough when the switch is in the on position. andthe plate is positioned as illustrated in Fig. l. thereby locking the.switch in thc "oni position. and when it is desired to lock thc switchin tht`- oliv posi? tion. the apertrri iO-l will fit -ovcr the handle 5Gwhen it is operated to its ofi position, il thi` position of the plate103 is reversed. that is. turned to 1S() degrees. lt will thus heevident that a plate such as 103 serves to lock the switches in eitherthe on or ntf position.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a similar plate 110 used to lock a switch of the pushbutton'type in either the fon or off position. This plato is providedwith an apcrturelll'to accommodate one of the push huttonssuch as 112 ofthe switch and with an embossing 1.13 which is adapted to ride-over theprojecting portion of the. push buttons 113 which in the drawing isshown in `its, depressed position. The platellOfis fitted with suitableapertures at either end 4to Ifeceive the pins or rods 77 and 107"or=mount- 'ing'the plate on the shieldin Likewise the plate is sealed inpositionliinL a manner identical'to that described for' the Aplate' 103.'When theplate is thus sealed in position vontheshield 55 with one ofthe-operating 'push huttonsyfas for example the push butto'n 112, asillustrated in"Figjprojecting through theaperture 111,'theswitch cannotbe operated since the push button cannot be 'depressed Actuation of theush button v1124s prevented since-the push uttons- 112 and'114'areinterconnectedl andz depression of one=of said buttons can only be'iicconiplislied hyfa corresponding rise ofthei other-hut? ton'.Therefore. since the push'- button; i114 is in substantia-lVcontact-with `theembossed portion 113'of'the plate 110, movement'ofeither of the buttons 112 'or 114 4will be pre vented. -In the caseofthe plate 110; `the locking of the switch in the opposite condition isaccomplished the same'- as with-*the plate'103,thatis the plate isAmerely-roftated through an arc of1180'degrees1in' which position theaperture 111-ivill he positioned over the opposite pushfbutton. intheillustrations Figs.2 and 3. over pushhutton 114.

From Vthe foregoingr description itv now follows that in a panel-boardand panel-box constructed in accordance With-the teachings of this`invention the electrical equipment is so mountc'd in thepanel-boardenclosure that the said enclosure can be readilyfin stalled in :anyposit-ion andthel position of the apparatus with respect=tothefenclosu're can be speedily and rapidly changed so as to-lit theapparatus to any particular form of .wiringinstallation. LlfeW'itheaequip' ves 'cio

ment comprises a dead front panel-board in which the dead front shieldcan be conveniently sealed in.4 position if so desired, and, further,if'for any reasons it becomes necessary to lock the main switch ineither of the on or off position, this can be readily accomplished bythe more addition over the shield of the switch locking plates.

Obviously the invention is not limited to in `said -enclosuretagdeadfront shield movably .mounted 1n sald enclosure loverV said panel-board,said-:s'hield-'being "aperturedfto permit the=projectionf thecircuitcontrolling portions of said apparatus thereto,and desi ation:means for said apparatus frotatablryl. mounted Von said shield.

2.In.a device of the character described in combination, a panel-boxenclosure, a

panel-board carrying circuit-controlling apparatus, a mounting sub-base,to which said panel-board is removably secured, said subbasebeing:removably secured to the .bot-

tom of said panel-boxenclosure, a dead front r shield` :removablymounted in said enclosure overcsaid panel-board saidl shield -beingapertured to permit theprojection'of the circuit-controlling portions ofsaid apparatus therethrough, and designation means for said apparatusrotatably mounted on said shield, whereby said panel-box may be mountedeither in the vertical or horizontal position and the designation meansrotated 1n the proper position for the particular mounting of thepanel-box enclosure.

3. In a device of the character described,

a panel-box enclosure, a flat plate mounting su -base secured to thebottom of said enclosure, apparatus mounting brackets permanentlysecured to said sub-base, circuitcontrolling equipment mounted onsuitable bases removably secured to said brackets, the said sub-base andthe said circuit-controlling equipment mounted thereon comprising aunitary structure, means for mounting said unitary structure in saidpanel-box enclosure whereby said structure may be readily removed as aunit from said panel-box enclosure and positioned therein in any one ofa plurality of positions, a dead front shield removably mounted in saidenclosure over said circuit-controlling apparatus, said shield beingapertured to permit the proection therethrough of the circuit-controlingportions of said circuit-controlling apting lthe circuit-controapparatus to project through said apertures,

paratus, and designation means for said apparatus rotatably mounted onsaid shield.

4. In a device of the character described, a panel-box, a anel-boardmounted therein carrying circult-controlling apparatus, an aperturedshield mounted above said panel-v board covering said apparatus andpermittingthe'circuit-controlhng portions of said apparatus to projectthrough said apertures, a ban-.a downwardly extending arm, lsaid armcontactingfwith the face of said panelboard, an upwardly extending armon said bar serving as a support for saidshield, and means positioned onsaid upwardly extending bar adapted .to receive a seal for lockingsaidfshield in position. r

5. In a device of the character described, a panel-box, a panel-boardmounted therein carrying circuit-controlling apparatus, an: aperturedshield mounted above Vsaid panel' 1board coveringA said'apparatus andpermit- Img portions vof said a bar, a bracket secured to saidpanel-board for 'removably securing said bar-.tosaid board, a downwardlyextending arm on said bar contacting with the face of said panelboard,an upwardly -extending armon said bar serving as a support for saidshield, and a threaded bolt positionedon lsaid upwardly. extending armadapted to receive a seal-for locking said shieldinv position. 1 Y ;f

6. In a deviceof the character described', a panel-box, =a`panelboardmounted therein carrying circuit-controllin apparatus, an aperturedshield mounted a ove said panelboard covering said apparatus andpermitting the circuit-controlling portion'lof said apparatus to projectthrough said apertures, a bar, a bracket secured to said bar, meansadapted to secure circuit-controlling apparatus to said anel-board,means to removably secure sald bracket to said panel-board, a downwardlyextending arm on said bar contacting with the face of said panel-board,an upwardly extendin arm on said bar serving as a support or saidshield, and means positioned on said upwardly extending arms adapted toreceive a seal for locking said shield in position.

7. In a panel-board construction, an apparatus mounting base, a switchmounted on said base, a cover-plate for said switch, apertured to permitthe projection therethrough of the operatin element of said switch, asecond aperture plate adapted to be positioned over said cover-plate,said plate acting to lock the operating element of said switch in the onposition and adapted to lock the ope-rating element of said switch inthe off position when placed on said cover-plate in the reverseposition, and means to seal the said locking plate in position on saidcover-plate.

8. In a panel-board and panel-box conlplate in position.

struction, a panel-box, an apparatus mounting base positioned in saidbox, circuitcontrollingapparatus including a switch mounted in said box,an apertured shield adapted to be mounted in said box to cover saidapparatus and the interconnecting conductors thecircuit-controlloperajtinly por tions ofsaicl apparatus said aperturesin -said shield, an .apertured plate adapted :to be positioned-over thecircuit-controlling portion of said switch on theouter face of saidshield to lock it in its off position, and a common means for sealing4the said shield and the 'said plate in their respective positions.

9. In a panel-box 4and-par'iel-board construction, a panel-board, anapparatus mountingfbase positioned in said box, circuitfcontrolling.apparatus including' Y a switch. mounted on said base,`a1:ig aperturedshield adapted toibermounted in-s'aid'box to cover said apparatus andthe interconnecting 4oonductors-,- the circuit-controlling operatingportions of said apparatus projecting through said apertures in saidshield, means toseal said shield in position, a late apertured to fitover the circuit-contro ling portion of said switch. to4 lock the switchin the ,.oi position, designation mounted on said shield toi indicateWhether the switch is operated in its on or oi position, aperturesfin4the switch locking plate adapted to receive the switch designationplates, and means for scaling the said 10.,.In a panel-board andpanel-box construction, a panel-box, an apparatus mounting basepositioned` trolling apparatus including the switch mounted in said box,an apertured shield adapted to be mounted in said box to coverprojecting through 'n said box, circuitfcon? said apparatus and theinterconnecting conductors, the circuit-controlling operatingy eirrespective positions,;

mounted therein, a panel-board shield positioned above said panel-board,designation plates, and means torotatabl mounti'said plates on' saidshield whereby th may befturned into any position to conform with theparticular mounting of the panelbox and associatedshield. j 4

12. In a device of the character described in combination, a panelbox,`apanel-'board inounted therein', a-v panel-board shield posi- Ationedabove said panel-board, designation plates, a depression:positioned substantially in the middle of designation plates, rivets forrotatably .mounting `said* plates'on` said shield, the heads ofpositioned in thefsaid de tain a substantially flus'i face of saidplate, whereby the said'plates said rivets being ressions to mainniay beturned into any position toconforamy with Vthe particular4n'iountmgofthe panelbox and associated shield. f

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name-` HENRYFSTARRETT@ 'surface 'for the A

